Really?" Eliza asked when Cecily said she needed a bath; it wasn't like she smelt bad. Eliza hovers in her bathroom, the cold tiles freezing her feet. The wrought iron tub has been brought up and gradually filled with hot water. After much arguing and insisting, Eliza sits in the bath and plays with the bubble on the surface. The warmth of the water feels nice against her skin and relaxes every muscle and joint in her body. Cecily waddles in with a box of potions and vials, Eliza tries to cover her nakedness from the maid but Cecily waves her away.

"I've looked after you for a while, plus I have seen everything, there is no need for embarrassment," she says as she rummages through the box, pulling out different bottles and putting them back. Still feeling a little uncomfortable Eliza tries to relax back into the bath but to no avail, as her maid begins pouring strange coloured liquids into her bathwater.

"What are they for?" Eliza asks nervously, wary of the unknown liquids, though she is mesmerised by the swirling colours and the different odours they create.

"Don't you worry, they will make you smell like heaven and your skin will be soft as a newborn babes bum!" Cecily says with a happy smile, "Now lean back and I'll do your hair."

"My hair?" Eliza sits up and splashes water over the edges. What was wrong with her hair?

"Yes, yes." Cecily picks up a red vial and gives it a sniff, Eliza remains frozen not trusting what is about to happen.

"Oh relax I am going to make it soft and smell nice," reassures Cecily as she places the rest of the mixtures on the floor. Slowly Eliza leans back and allows Cecily to take out the haphazard bun from this morning, her inky hair flows down around her shoulders. Water pours from a bucket and drenches her head, Cecily then pours the entire contents on the red vial on Eliza's hair, she massages the mass until it is completely covered in the strange stuff. Another bucket of water is poured over and the soap created is washed down into the bath, after two more buckets Eliza's hair is clear of soap and shines like the sun.

"Here." Cecily hands Eliza a bar of pink soap, "Scrub yourself with this." Eliza accepts the soap and begins to lather her entire body. Once Cecily approves Eliza has washed herself thoroughly enough Eliza stands up and water drips off her body.

Stepping out of the bath Eliza becomes wrapped in a towel gown, her hair, dripping down the back. Using the gown, she proceeds to dry her body, that stuff worked, her skin felt really soft.

"Lean forward." Cecily directs as she approaches with a fluffy towel. Eliza complies and her hair is flipped forward, splashing the tiles and Cecily. Advancing with the towel Cecily smothers Eliza's hair and rubs hard. After a few minutes of uncomfortable standing for Eliza her hair is no longer wet but a bit damp.

Standing up Eliza follows Cecily through to the room dedicated to all her clothes. The room is directly next to the bathroom, it houses several pine wardrobes, floor-length mirrors and vanity with countless beauty products and fragrances. One thing Benjamin always provides for his niece is clothes and makeup, anything to try and present Eliza in a more positive light. Eliza does have a wardrobe in her bedroom but that only handles day wear.

Eliza pads in and places herself on the poof, her back to the vanity. Cecily goes to the wardrobe that contains all of Eliza's evening dresses. Unfortunately, there is a total of 6 evening dresses in the wardrobe, all of them previously worn and unfashionable. Chewing her lip Cecily turns around and shakes her head, Eliza's heart sinks, how is she going to make an impression with an old dress?

"It's alright, I'll just wear the pink one," she says downheartedly.

"I have an idea, you might not be that fond of it but..." Cecily looks nervous as she removes a key from her bosom and moves to the biggest wardrobe, the key clicks in the lock and opens, she sticks her head in trying to find the dress in mind. Eliza cranes her neck trying to see what her maid is doing. Since when is there a locked wardrobe?

Cecily pulls out a dress. Eliza gasps in shock. Mother's dress!

It was the last gift her mother was given by her husband, she never wore it, claiming it was too valuable and beautiful to wear. Eliza thought her mother had taken all her dresses with her. Why would she leave such a dress behind? To forget she ever had a family, Eliza thinks.

"Where did you..."

"I found it in her room when I was cleaning, I couldn't bear to throw such a beautiful dress away," Cecily confesses and she hangs the stunning dress up on the wardrobe. Eliza just nods, her mouth opens in awe.

"I understand if you don't want to wear it, but I thought it could be an option," Cecily says softly.

"I want to wear it." Eliza murmurs as she stands and runs her hands over the dark burgundy material. Cecily smiles sadly, the memories of Eliza's mother always have a great impact on the young women. Eliza lets the material fall through her fingers; it feels like the smoothest silk. Blinking to get rid of the tears, she smiles and nods at Cecily, who unhooks the dress and they both exit the room.

Several hours later Eliza is staring at her appearance in utter shock. Her black hair is a smooth silky, intricately braided down her back, In the plait, Cecily has weaved a string of pearls, they gleam and glow as the light touches them. It made the hours of drying, brushing and styling worth it to see her hair glow and look so effortlessly gorgeous.

The burgundy dress has a corset embellished with gold and black ivy, it pushes up Eliza's bosom and shows off her naturally slim waist, the skirt falls perfectly down and has a small train that glides as she walks. The dress has an air of seduction without revealing too much, it clings to every curve and accents how womanly Eliza actually is under the shapeless dresses she normally wears. In the base of her throat, a simple gold pendant hangs paired with little gold drop earrings. Cecily left Eliza's face clear of makeup except for a dab of rouge on the lips.

"I look..." Eliza is lost for words, "Beautiful." She couldn't believe the woman in the mirror is her.

"You were always beautiful, I just helped a little," Cecily says as she tidies away brushes and ribbons. Eliza stops the maid halfway through tidying and embraces her, Cecily stands in shock for a minute but returns the hug.

"Thank you, Cecily." Eliza has tears in her eyes as she pulls away,

"Anytime miss." sniffs Cecily, "Now be on with you, you have a ball to stun."

Eliza wipes the tears and nods, "Could you call the carriage please." Cecily curtsies and leaves the room. With the last look and a deep breath, Eliza leaves her bedroom. Men's voices drift up from the hall, the hunting party must have arrived back.

Harrington and James enter the hall after a successful hunt, the total kill involved two deer and several grouse, men accept glasses of port from servants and are shown into the lounge before dinner. Benjamin ushers his guests out of the hall after coats and weapons have been deposited of. A maid runs down the stairs, she stares hard at Harrington as she bestows the men a few curtsies. She then scampers off like a frightened mouse.

Benjamin looks to see only two men remaining, "Shall we have a glass before dinner?" he asks as he starts towards the lounge where the other men are all laughing, smoking and drinking.

"Uncle wait a minute." A lyrical voice comes from upstairs, a figure descends the stair at a frighteningly fast pace. Heels clap on the wooden floor, Eliza approaches the men with a nervous smile, unsure how her uncle is going to react at her new look. Benjamin is in awe of his niece, for seven years he cared for her and yet he had missed her transition into this young adult.

Harrington stares at Eliza in shock and wonder, she looks like a queen, a temptation to any man to who will cross her path. James looks at his friend's face and chuckles to himself, it is evident he is besotted.

"Uncle sorry to bother you but I am just about to leave for the ball with your permission," Eliza says carefully to her uncle, she sneaks a look towards Harrington and to her pleasure, he is not taking his eyes off her. Eliza didn't know whom the handsome man accompany the Duke however he seemed friendly as he smiles at her politely. Benjamin isn't saying a word, he simply stares at his niece.

"Hello, I am James Eaton." Harrington's friend steps up and offers his hand to the pretty young lady. Eliza accepts the hand and receives a light kiss upon it.

"Pleasure to make your acquaintance, I am Eliza," she says with a blinding smile. Harrington glowers inside at the warmth from Eliza is giving James. Since when did this little bluestocking take so well to rakes.

"Might I add you look simply stunning," James says with a cheeky smile. Both Benjamin and Harrington turn to glare at the Duke of Devonshire, but Eliza lets out a little laugh behind her hand.

"Thank you, sir," Eliza is aware the Duke is flirting with her however the usual attention is nice so she humours him. "You look all right yourself." James looks smugly towards Harrington and gives him a suggestive nudge; Harrington looks back with a mirthless glare. Eliza misses the silent communication between them as she turns her attention on to Benjamin

"So Uncle may I call for the carriage?" she asks hopefully, praying the tiff this morning would not affect his decision.

Benjamin has regained the power of speech and says "Yes, yes of course."

"Then I bid you gentleman goodnight." Eliza sweeps a curtsy before the three men, "Gentlemen." And walks to the front door, a fur scarf is hung up and Eliza drapes it around her shoulders.

"Wait, Miss Eliza," Harrington speaks suddenly

She pauses and schools her expression before turning. What on earth did he have to say to her, an apology maybe? God knows she is in deserve of one.

Harrington faces Benjamin and asks,

"Would you mind if I ride with Miss Eliza to the party, only I wish to see my sister."

Benjamin narrows his eyes at the tall gentleman trying to suss out his intentions, Eliza grips the fur closer to her, please let him say no.

"But the hunting party is celebrating surely you should stay and enjoy yourself," Eliza suggests innocently. Harrington purses his lips and turns towards the minx, "The hunt lasts a few days I will not miss out on anything."

Benjamin doesn't seem convinced, so Harrington continues, "I have to keep an eye out for her as she is young and impressionable rather like miss Eliza here."

Eliza's mouth falls open, Her? Impressionable? How dare he?

"I will accompany as well if that makes you feel better sir," James pipes up. Benjamin sighs, "That makes me feel worse." he admits.

"Uncle I don't think..." Eliza begins

"You can both go if Cecily goes too." Benjamin amends thinking he has found a compromise.

"Thank you, sir." Both men bow to her Uncle and join Eliza at the door. James opens the door and holds it for her.

"Eliza." Benjamin says, "Have fun tonight," before he marches to host his guests.